Summary
Syahganda Nainggolan, chief of Indonesia’s government communications agency, came under fire over his remarks about forest fires and haze affecting neighbouring countries.
Syahganda said Indonesia’s forests supplied oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia when there were no fires and described the haze as a natural phenomenon rather than human error.
Malaysia has closed schools due to the haze, offered Indonesia firefighting assistance and requested an urgent ASEAN meeting on the crisis.
MALAYSIA: An Indonesian government communications chief has sparked criticism in the region after saying the country’s forests provide oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia when there are no fires, while describing the haze crisis as a natural phenomenon rather than human error.
Syahganda Nainggolan’s remarks went viral as Indonesian forest fires sent smoke across the region, affecting air quality in neighbouring countries. Malaysians have also faced school closures as frustration grows over Indonesia’s efforts to control the fires.
The haze crisis had prompted calls for greater accountability, Malay Mail reported (Oct 16), while Malaysiakini reported (Oct 12) on the backlash against Syahganda’s comments.
Malaysian politicians demand accountability over Indonesian official’s haze remarks
Syahganda, chief of Indonesia’s government communications agency, said Indonesia contributed oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia through its forests, pushing back against the focus on smoke crossing national borders.
The Indonesian communications chief is also reported to have downplayed the haze problem, describing it as a natural phenomenon rather than a result of human error, according to Malaysiakini.
Syahganda’s remarks have fuelled anger among Malaysian politicians, with calls ranging from stronger diplomatic pressure to regional action against companies linked to forest fires.
Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman called for Indonesia to face regional isolation over its failure to control the fires, taking a harder line than Malaysia’s government.
MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said the close relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia must come with responsibility. She questioned why Malaysians should continue bearing the consequences of actions beyond their borders and condemned Syahganda’s remarks as “downright insensitive”.
Syerleena also called for greater transparency, stronger enforcement against companies responsible for illegal burning and closer regional cooperation.
Democratic Action Party (DAP) state assemblyman for Sulong Johor Andrew Chen condemned Syahganda’s remarks, saying it was unacceptable to mock the haze crisis while Malaysians were struggling with its effects. He also described access to clean air as an immediate and non-negotiable human right.
MP Hassan Abdul Karim said ASEAN countries were willing to help Indonesia fight the fires, provided Jakarta was prepared to accept regional assistance.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, meanwhile, defended Malaysia’s diplomatic approach, saying the government had done everything it could to engage Indonesia on the haze crisis.
The differing responses show the pressure on Malaysian leaders to protect public health while managing relations with a neighbouring country. Malaysia has offered firefighting assistance and called for an urgent ASEAN meeting to discuss the crisis.
Haze disrupts schools as fires spread
The controversy comes as Indonesian forest fires cause air pollution across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and East Timor.
Malaysia has closed schools in affected areas and offered Indonesia assistance to fight the fires. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said both countries had begun talks on cooperation, although the details were still being discussed.
Indonesian fires recur during the annual dry season. This year, a strong El Niño cycle has worsened drought conditions, contributing to fires that have burned hundreds of thousands of hectares.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto ordered the government on Monday to step up efforts to fight fires that have continued for months in some areas.
Malaysia seeks stronger regional action
The controversy has renewed questions about how Southeast Asian countries can prevent haze from recurring.
Malaysia has requested an urgent ASEAN meeting to discuss the crisis. The Philippines, which is hosting this year’s ASEAN summit, has confirmed that haze pollution will be discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers next month.
ASEAN members signed an agreement on transboundary haze pollution in 2002, but the pact has been criticised for lacking an effective enforcement mechanism.
James Chin, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania, said the agreement had achieved little, while noting that ASEAN countries were cautious about interfering in one another’s domestic affairs.
Malaysia’s concerns are that smoke from fires across the border can disrupt schools and affect daily life at home.
Indonesia’s forests may contribute oxygen to neighbouring countries, but that doesn’t settle the question of responsibility for smoke crossing their borders. Cooperation, stronger enforcement and action against illegal burning are needed to prevent the same crisis from returning.